Release Detail

August 26, 2004 - New Yorkers Split On Mike, Give Bush Bronx Cheer,
Quinnipiac University Poll Finds;
Most Back Peaceful Protests, But Will Be Good Hosts

New York City voters give Mayor Michael Bloomberg a split 44 - 42 percent job
approval rating, but disapprove of President George W. Bush 70 - 25 percent,
according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

By a 66 - 30 percent margin, New Yorkers think the Republican Convention and
protests associated with the convention will cause a major disruption in the city, the
independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds.

But voters say 77 - 15 percent that New Yorkers will be good hosts and only 10
percent are planning to leave the city during the convention.

When asked if different words describe their feelings about the convention:

25 percent of New York City voters say they are proud;

50 percent (60 percent of women and 38 percent of men) say they are worried;

47 percent say they are uninterested;

41 percent say they are annoyed;

14 percent say they are excited.

"Republican Mayor Mike is doing OK, but New Yorkers don't approve of
President Bush and they aren't very excited about a Republican Convention in this
Democratic bastion. Politics aside, they expect their fellow New Yorkers to mind their
manners and be good hosts," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac
University Polling Institute.

New York City voters split three-ways, with 30 percent saying the convention
will be good for the city, 33 percent saying it will be bad for the city and 33 percent
saying it won't make a difference.

In other opinions about the convention:

71 percent of city voters say demonstrators should be allowed in Central Park;

50 percent disapprove of the FBI questioning people who plan to demonstrate, while
44 percent approve.

"The city is rolling out the red carpet for the Republican delegates, but most New
Yorkers would roll out the green carpet of Central Park for the anti-Republican
demonstrators," Carroll said. "Lawful demonstrations - even non-violent civil
disobedience - are a time-honored New York tradition and still widely supported.
But 19 out of 20 New Yorkers draw the line at violence."

While 11 percent of New Yorkers plan to participate in a demonstration, 23
percent plan to take advantage of special discounts, announced by Mayor Bloomberg, on
meals, shows and attractions.

"Sure, some New Yorkers are saying, 'To the barricades!'

"But twice as many are saying, 'Make a reservation!'" Carroll said.

Voters say 49 - 41 percent that New York City "is adequately prepared to deal
with a major terrorist attack during the Republican Convention."

A total of 31 percent say such an attack is "very likely" or "somewhat likely,"
while 62 percent say an attack is "not very likely" or "not likely at all."

From August 20 - 24, Quinnipiac University surveyed 822 New York City
registered voters, with a margin of error of +/- 3.4 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts
public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida
and nationwide as a public service and for research.

For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu or call (203) 582-5201

TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Michael Bloomberg is handling
his job as Mayor?

5. Do any of the following describe your own personal feelings about the
Republican convention being held in New York City?
a. Would you say you feel proud about the Republican convention being held
in New York City?

19. How likely do you think it is that there will be a terrorist attack
in New York City when the Republican party holds its convention there?
-- Very likely, somewhat likely, not very likely, or not likely at all?